‘”I’m not the same as I was when I was 25 or even 29,” says the now 35-year-old. “I get about 25 minutes a game, not 30 or 35 like when I was younger. That’s about right. I play on the penalty killing units now too and that takes a lot out of you, you’re moving all the time when you’re doing that, but it’s a part of the game and I like it.”‘

'The series should be a showdown between the NHL's best defense and its second-best offense. But the postseason is hockey's Bizarro World, and Buffalo's Jennings Trophy-winning "D" and Pittsburgh's stable of shooters did not star in the teams' respective six-game, first-round victories. Instead, the Sabres enter Round Two having scored a league-best 21 goals in their opening series against the Philadelphia Flyers, while Pittsburgh allowed the Washington Capitals just seven goals, second only to the Curtis Joseph-powered Toronto Maple Leafs.'

‘The Sabres are certainly a good, tough team with a brilliant goaltender – but so was Washington. In fact, the Capitals and Sabres are so alike, there’s no reason to think Pittsburgh won’t be playing in the Eastern Conference Finals a fortnight from now.’

'"Everything's going to be tough with Buffalo," Straka said. "They just beat Philly, so they must be playing well. And (Dominik) Hasek's playing unbelievable. Their defense has been playing well for them, and they've got some offense. They scored a lot of goals, so it's going to be tough again."'